The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 falls short of achieving its intended objectives. Comment.

POCSO was brought to prevent sexual exploitation of children who are under age of 18. Objectives: 1) Prevent exploitation of non-mature children (legal age of 16) 2) Strict punishment to prevent mischief by guilty before innocent mingled by law agencies 3) Fast track investigation 4) Restore dignity of children (both genders) 5) Uphold states mandate under article 21 & 29 Fall short in achieving objective: → Romanticizing & criminalization of romantic relationship (Bombay High Court) → Lack of conviction: High pendancy → Frivolous case by parents whose against choice of children → Guilty before innocent mingled by law agencies → Slow investigation impair dignity of children → Child exploitation: construing child trafficking in Northeast Laws needs is reformed: → Separate investigation agency → Timeline for completion of case → Streamline regulation & removing ambiguities

— Ritik Singhvi · AIR 203